FCT Resident Doctors begin indefinite strike over welfare, manpower crisis

Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared an indefinite strike starting Monday over the authorities’ failure to meet their demands.

“The Association of Resident Doctors, FCTA, at its Emergency General Meeting held on 14th September 2025, resolved to embark on an indefinite strike action with effect from 8:00 am, Monday, 15th September 2025,” the group announced in a statement signed by its General Secretary, Agbor Affiong.

The doctors said the action followed the management’s failure to address any of their demands despite a one-week warning strike. They vowed to remain on strike until the government and hospital management show “genuine commitment to the welfare of doctors and the health of FCT residents.”

Last week, the association staged a seven-day warning strike to press for improved working conditions, payment of entitlements, and better welfare. They also highlighted severe manpower shortages in the territory’s 14 district and general hospitals, warning that the situation was overwhelming doctors.

Speaking earlier on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, ARD-FCTA Chairman George Ebong stressed that doctors were overstretched. “We’re going to need as much as 200 or thereabouts [doctors]. We don’t even have anything close to that. We have a doctor seeing more than 30 patients, 40 patients. We have a doctor doing up to 10 caesarean sections,” he said.

Ebong also revealed that many doctors are struggling with mental and physical health challenges, with some on antidepressants and anti-hypertensive medications due to stress.

The association warned that without meaningful dialogue within days, they would have no choice but to sustain the indefinite strike.